A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!'
William F. Buckley, Jr.Read
I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously suggests that to take someone seriously would be an insult to their intelligence.
William F. Buckley, Jr.'s quote plays on the idea that sometimes people are not deserving of serious consideration due to their actions or statements. It carries a satirical tone, implying that someone may say or do things so foolishly that acknowledging them with seriousness would undermine one's own intelligence.
Themes
IntelligenceSeriousnessHumorSatireCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about political correctness, one might use this quote to illustrate the absurdity of some arguments.
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I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.
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Government can't do anything for you except in proportion as it can do something to you.
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